[zakman440]

The Neil Patrick Harris variety show for which Americans have hoped and prayed is finally happening. Vulture has learned NBC has landed the actor/author/all-around host with the most to headline a U.S. version of Saturday Night Takeaway, the long-running U.K. variety show format produced by U.K.-based production company ITV. We hear multiple broadcast networks actively bid for the rights to land the Harris-hosted series, with ITV asking networks to agree to an on-the air, ten-episode order for the project. In addition, two sources tell us ITV was asking for a price tag north of $2.5 million for each hourlong episode (and that’s before the substantial marketing and promotion such a project demands). The Harris show (which will not be called Saturday Night Takeaway or air on Saturdays) is also expected to originate from New York, logical given the actor’s roots in the city. "As I watched the show, I couldn't stop smiling. Now that I've seen many seasons, my face hurts. It's a game changer,” said Harris. “Nothing like this has been done before, and it's unique structure fits right into my random skill set. I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and have some fun!"

Read more: http://www.vulture.com/2014/10/nbc-n...iety-show.html

How exciting!

[zakman440]

This premiered last night and while it hasn't gone down well with the US critics, I quite liked it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34267177

[Tom4784]

Ew.

[Jack_]

Yeah I watched this on a live stream last night and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it!

Don't get me wrong, it's not a patch on Takeaway and I think the name is very strange but for what it was it was well produced and Neil did a good job. The whole show was very noticeably fast paced which was quite odd but I guess that's just American television for you.

I was amazed when the woman chose to stay with her prizes in Get Lucky (their Win The Ads), I think that's happened maybe two or three times in the history of SNT I doubt that'll happen too much if the show establishes itself

Shame about the lack of a proper theme tune or titles though, and I did love how Reese Witherspoon pretty much gave away that Neil knew what the 'VS.' item was going to involve

Also loved the Ant and Dec cameo in the End of The Show Show (which was very good, I must add) and I noticed they're exec producers which is great!

[JoshBB]

I like him a lot, I'll give this a go maybe.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

If I was a presenter I would be annoyed that the US didn't ask me to host the show I birthed.

[BBfanUSA]

I didn't watch it last night but I saw the Voice prank he did as Jurgen.

That was funny, even did a blind audition.

[zakman440]

...It's been cancelled, which is a shame because it actually was quite good.

The clock has run out on Best Time Ever.

NBC has canceled Neil Patrick Harris' variety show after one season, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

However, the network will stay in business with the Emmy winner via a production deal with his banner, Prediction Productions.

The ambitious live program, based on the British format Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, featured a combination of stunts, performances, comedy sketches and celebrity appearances by the likes of Reese Witherspoon and Tyler Perry.


In recent years, NBC has made live programming like Best Time Ever and The Wiz Live! a top priority in an effort to lure more live viewers.

But unlike The Wiz Live's recent ratings success, Best Time Ever drew more modest numbers. The first of the new broadcast offerings to premiere, the series opened to a 1.9 among adults 18-49 before gradually falling to a 1.3 rating for its eighth and final episode, which aired in November.

Best Time Ever marked Harris' return to television following the nine-year run of How I Met Your Mother. With numerous awards hosting gigs under his belt (see: the Oscars, the Emmys, the Tonys), a variety show seemed like a natural fit for the actor as well as for NBC. The network had previously tried to launch a variety show with a one-time special hosted by Maya Rudolph in 2014.

Best Time Ever was produced by ITV America.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...me-ever-849245

[Jarrod]

The viewing figures for the US version weren't so far off the UK figures but I know that there's a much bigger audience in the USA.

[Mokka]

I am not surprised it's cancelled... I watched the first couple... but I have no idea how you keep that many plates in the air on a show and keep people actually intrigued.
It was like a show who's entire plot was a strobe light just flashing one thing after another.

I laughed a lot at the first one but in the "wtf is this" kind of way